We’ve heard a lot about all kinds of benefits regarding apple cider vinegar. Did you know it can help with gut health and allergies? 

You’re probably wondering how stomach health and allergies are related, we were wondering the same thing until we found some interesting studies!

Research Suggests that allergies start in the stomach

According to some studies, there’s a correlation between allergies and the loss of acidity in your stomach. Normally, the ph level of the acid in your stomach should be between 1-3. For those of us who have been out of the classroom for a while, the lower the number the more acidic, the higher the number the more basic.

Allergies are formed from an indigestion of protein, so it’s important for your stomach acid to be on the more acidic side as it helps break down these proteins. 

Your stomach acid also sterilizes microbes like bacteria, viruses, yeast, candida, in a way the wagon stops here: your stomach is supposed to sterilize microbes before they can get into the rest of your system.

Lastly, your stomach acid is supposed to absorb minerals like zinc, magnesium, and iron. If your body doesn’t absorb these minerals then you will have complications that lead to allergies.

To summarize, if your stomach acid is too basic, the microbes from food can get absorbed into your system making you more susceptible to allergies and even acid reflux.

Things that affect the acidity of your stomach

Hyperthyroidism

Research suggests that there is a relationship between Hyperthyroidism and production of gastric acid. It suggests that if you struggle with hyperthyroidism there’s a chance that the output of stomach acid can be on the lower levels.

While this doesn't affect the PH levels of the stomach acid, it does reduce the amount overall, and as mentioned before if your stomach cannot break down the microbes found in foods then it’s more likely that the microbes spread throughout your body producing allergies.

Low salt diet

Salt actually helps a lot with digestion of food. When consumed, your body converts salt (NaCl) into hydrochloric acid (HCl) which is key for stomach acid to break down food and nutrients. With that in mind, if you’re dealing with allergy issues, if you have little to no salt in your diet, adding a little in can make a difference in digestion.

Antibiotics and frequent use of antacids

Taking certain medications and too much antacids can drastically change the PH levels of your stomach. Of course antacid’s purpose is to reduce the levels of ph acidity in your stomach. Though there is a risk you are treating a symptom and not a cause.

As stated earlier, considering allergies start in the stomach, you might think that the acid reflux you experience is from high acidity levels in the stomach but it could also be your stomach acid being too basic and not able to break down your food. 

If this is the case, taking antacids is only going to make your allergies and acid reflux worse.

Apple Cider Vinegar’s Gut Health Benefits

Acid Reflux

As mentioned above, if your acid reflux is caused by a lack of stomach acid then apple cider vinegar can help stimulate the production of stomach acid which can provide some relief.

Gut Inflammation and Antibacterial

If you’re having fits of indigestion or eat foods that are hard for your body to digest, your stomach will feel bloated and inflamed. 

Apple cider vinegar can help with the pain of bloating and aids in the digestion process, it’s antibacterial properties also helps keep from bacteria and microbes growing in the stomach and moving throughout the system which exacerbates allergies.

A better tasting way to have ACV

Don’t feel like pounding back a vinegary tonic? We know a lot of  you out there can’t stand the taste or smell of vinegar, but you don’t want to miss out on the health benefits do you? 

Don’t worry.

Embody’s got you covered.

Nice and sweet, tasting like apples this is a great alternative to stop yourself from gagging every time you make an apple cider vinegar tonic.

Other options on the market for ACV gummies aren’t as potent either, you’d have to take a third of the bottle to get that same 2 tbsp volume of acv with other gummies. Not with us, we give you the best bang for your buck and it tastes great!